SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Melissa Akullu (SO/Kampala, Uganda) had 15 points and 12 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season, but the Vanguard women's basketball team lost 81-42 to No. 3 Westmont on Thursday at Murchison Gymnasium.

The Lions also received 11 points from Estefania Giner (JR/Chihuahua, Mexico).

Vanguard shot just 27.1 percent (16-of-59) from the field, including 3-of-21 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Warriors knocked down 13 three-pointers, the second-most the Lions have allowed to an opponent this season.

Laila Saenz led four Warriors in double figures with 14 points as she accounted for four three-pointers. Gabriella Stoll notched 13 points off the bench for Westmont, which improved to 20-3 overall and 13-2 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

Vanguard is 9-11 on the season and 5-10 in conference play.

What Happened?: The Lions had a rough start to the game, shooting 0-of-13 in the first quarter and trailing 18-1 after the first 10 minutes.

The Lions were outscored 24-9 in the second quarter and went into halftime down 42-10. Giner and Arielle Hines (FR/Long Beach, CA) accounted for all 10 of Vanguard's points.

Vanguard played Westmont even in the third period with both teams scoring 19 points. Akullu amassed 11 of her 15 points in the frame.

Westmont outscored the Lions by seven in the fourth quarter to finish off the 81-42 win.

Why Is It Important?: Vanguard hoped to move closer to the sixth seed for the upcoming conference tournament, which will be played February 23-26 at The Master's. Being seeded any lower forces the No. 7 through No. 10 seeds to win four games in four days to emerge as tournament champion. The loss tonight all but guarantees the Lions will be no higher than the No. 7 seed in the tournament, but it's not mathematically impossible.

What's Next?: The Lions travel to No. 6 The Master's on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. tip.